Exotic vs. boring

Thursday

Feb 6, 2014 at 6:00 AM

After six months of on-again, off-again debate, the Worcester City Council has shut down the sideshow that had it contemplating a ban on circus animals coming to town. We presume the DCU Center and adjoining transportation infrastructure are once again in the clear to accept lions, elephants, tigers, and whatever other exotic creatures might occasionally stop by.

Tuesday night's 8-3 vote rejecting an ordinance that might have led to a ban on wild and exotic animals puts an end, at least for now, to an issue that ought never have been taken up.

Indeed, the councilors' circus safari reminds us of their deliberations a few years back on the merits of Arizona's immigration law. Both were unnecessary distractions, although at least the circus ordinance would have blocked the certain creatures trying to cross the border into Worcester.

We're sure the three councilors who wanted to explore a ban further have strong personal feelings on the matter. Well, tThat's why we have newspapers, talk radio, coffee shops, and Facebook.

Government should stick to the boring but necessary stuff, like bringing down tax rates, controlling spending, encouraging job creation, and streamlining permitting for new businesses. Deciding the future of a legal business that brings tax revenue into the city — and one whose animals might just inspire a child to become a naturalist, veterinarian or wildlife expert — is a task for a free people and a free market.